Harbour City recorded 10 days above 30 °C between 1 June and 31 August, against a 1991–2020 normal of 4 1. Emergency admissions over the same 92 days came to 31,309, +5.3% on the 2021–25 average for those dates 2.

The link between heat and admissions is well established. Across twelve coastal cities, admissions rise about 4.2% for each degree the daily maximum climbs above 27 °C 3, and Harbour City sits on that curve. The two heatwaves, 14–19 July and 6–9 August, account for 77% of the season's 1,565 excess admissions 2.

Staff describe the July surge as older patients arriving dehydrated in the early morning — after hot nights rather than hot afternoons 4.

Warnings work when they reach people. A stepped-wedge evaluation across nine cities found 14% fewer admissions on heat days that carried a public warning 5. An earlier estimate of excess deaths in the 2024 heatwave ? should not be quoted until it is re-issued.

Cooling centres logged 11,013 visits over the summer, +33.1% on 2025 6, but only 47% of the region's care homes have a designated cool room 7.

Lead with night-time heat rather than daytime peaks, and ask the council to require care homes to log night temperatures from June 2027. (insertion point)